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1/ How does it work?
The Blanc Martel shuttle brings and collects hikers at the start and finish points of the Blanc Martel trail.
In the morning at 8:30 am in the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon, she drops them off at the Chalet de la Maline. Then at 3.30 pm at Point Sublime, it brings them back to the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon. Depending on the number of visitors and the season, the number of rotations varies.
Booking is compulsory and only online!
This eco-responsible transport service is part of the Grand Site project run by the Verdon Regional Nature Park.
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2/ Where is the shuttle stop ?
The shuttle stop is located in La Palud-sur-Verdon after the hotel Le Provence on the left side of the RD23.
Our advice: Be punctual so as not to miss the departure!
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3/ Is there a car park near the shuttle stop ?
Yes, there is a special field for parking your car. It is located just after the children’s playground in the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon, on the left.
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4/ How to come from Castellane or Trigance ?
Take the RD952 towards La Palud-sur-Verdon.
Drive through the village. Take the first street on the left, you will pass the restaurant Joe le Snacky. Continue on the RD23, you will see on your left, the hotel Le Provence then the shuttle bus stop.
Turn left along the children’s playground to the dedicated car park in the field.
Only from 1 May to 30 September 2022, you can take the BV1 Riez-Castellane bus line. The departure is at 7.15 am from the Marcel Sauvaire square in Castellane for an arrival at 8.05 am in the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon.
Departure is also possible from the campsites and Rougon.
7.23 am Domaine du Verdon (Stop at Camping du Verdon)
7.30am Chasteuil Provence (Chasteuil stop)
7.35am Huttopia (Clos d’Arremus stop)
7.45 am Verdon Carajuan (Carajuan stop)
7.50am Rougon (Point Sublime stop)
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5/ How to get there from Moustiers Sainte-Marie or from the Sainte-Croix lake ?
Take the RD952 towards La Palud-sur-Verdon.
When you arrive in the village, take the first street on the right. Continue on the RD23, you will see on your left the restaurant Lou Cafetié, the hotel Le Provence and the shuttle bus stop.
Turn left along the children’s playground to the dedicated car park in the field.
Only from 6 July to 30 September 2022, you can take the BV1 Riez-Castellane bus line. The departure is at 9.05 am from Riez (Stop Collège M Javelly Pre de foire) and at 9.25 am from Moustiers Sainte-Marie (Stop deviation RD952) for an arrival at 10.00 am in the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon to take the shuttle at 10.30 am.
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6/ Is parking free ?
Yes, the parking is free. It is located in a field below the children’s playground in the village of La-Palud-sur-Verdon.
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1/ Can I take the shuttle every day of the year ?
No. The shuttle is back in service since Friday 8 April until 6 November 2022.
Depending on the holiday periods, it will run on certain days and every day in July and August.
- From 8 April to 26 June 2022: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as public holidays and long weekends.
Please note! From Monday 27 to Thursday 30 June 2022, there is no shuttle service.
- From 1 July to 25 September 2022: every day with more shuttles per day (maximum 4 round trips per day).
Please note! From Monday 26 to Thursday 29 September 2022, there is no shuttle service.
- From 30 September to 6 November 2022: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and bank holidays.
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2/ Can I choose the round trip times ?
No. Here are the 2 options.
- A round trip
Departure from the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon to the chalet de la Maline (8.30 am) and return from the Point Sublime to the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon (3.30 pm).
Practical case: On the day of your booking, you will see that there are several shuttles, the departure times are at 8.30 and 9.30 in the morning and those in the afternoon are at 3.30 and 4.30. However, you will not be able to choose to take the 8.30am shuttle with the 4.30pm return. For an 8.30am departure, the return is only at 3.30pm.
- A simple routeFrom the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon to the chalet de la Maline (only in the morning). For the return journey (in the afternoon), you will take the BV1 bus line, which is only in operation from 1 May to 30 September 2022.
Practical case: You take the bus in the morning at Castellane or Rougon (Carajuan or Point Sublime stops) for La Palud-sur-Verdon and then the shuttle bus in single trip. This option allows you to take more time to do the Blanc Martel trail because the bus back to Point Sublime to Castellane is at 5:25 pm.
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3/ Are there several shuttles per day ?
Yes, there is a minimum of 1 shuttle per day which makes a round trip.
Departure at 8.30 am from the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon to the Chalet de la Maline and return at 3.30 pm from the Point Sublime to the village.
Depending on the season, the number of shuttles increases, up to 4 per day in July-August, thus regulating the number of visitors and limiting parking.
As soon as 85% of the shuttle’s capacity is reached, an additional shuttle will automatically be offered on the online booking site.
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1/ Can I buy a ticket directly from the shuttle driver ?
Yes, if the reservation was not made online, it is possible to buy your ticket and pay the driver by credit card on the same day (subject to availability).
To know the remaining places in each shuttle scheduled for the next day, you can consult the reservation site after 6 pm. You can then organise yourself accordingly: postpone your trip or buy your ticket on the spot the next day.
Our advice: Plan your hike on the Blanc Martel trail calmly by booking your tickets online. Taking the shuttle bus on the same day is not recommended, especially in the middle of summer.
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2/ Is there a charge for the shuttle ?
Yes, here are the details of the rates :
Return journey
- 8 € per adult
- 5 € per child (under 12)
One way ticket
- 5 € (adult, child)
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3/ Can I cancel my booking in case of bad weather ?
Yes, the reservation is only cancelled in the event of a red or orange Météo France alert.
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4/ How long does it take to get a refund in case of cancellation ?
For any cancellation or postponement of your ticket, you must first fill in a form. If all the conditions are met, a refund will be made in December of the current year at the latest.
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5/ Can I take the shuttle on the same day ?
Yes, booking is compulsory and only online, however if the capacity of the shuttle has not reached 85% of filling, it is possible to take the shuttle the same day.
Our advice : Book your tickets online to plan your hike on the Blanc Martel trail with peace of mind. Taking the shuttle bus on the same day without a reservation is not recommended, especially in the middle of summer.
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1/ Do I have time to do the Blanc Martel trail ?
Yes, if you take a return ticket, the trail takes about 5h30 without a break. The shuttle bus slots leave you 6 hours and 45 minutes (departure at 8.50 am from the Chalet de la Maline and return at 3.30 pm to the Point Sublime) to complete the hike, which is sufficient.
Our advice: Manage your time! The Imbert Gap is located halfway along the route. After the tunnels, there is about an hour’s walk left. And to go back up to the Point Sublime from the viewpoint of the Couloir Samson, allow half an hour.
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2/ Is the trail easily accessible with children ?
No. The Blanc Martel trail is a 16km one-way hike. Difficult, some passages are technical and on average, it will take you 6 to 7 hours to finish the trail.
The hike is not recommended for children under 8 years old, nor for adults and children sensitive to vertigo.
Our advice: With young children, choose the alternative to the Blanc Martel trail: Le sentier du Lézard – Couloir Samson.
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3/ Are dogs allowed on the shuttle ?
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4/ What health measures are in place ?
Currently, only the wearing of a mask is compulsory for adults and children (from 6 years old).
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5/ Do I have to print my ticket ?
No. You can present your ticket to the driver in printed or digital form (on smartphone or tablet).
Please note! All tickets are personal and can be checked by order number.
